Mara Hoffman’s collections have gradually become more in line with her own style. Most days, her “uniform” is a slightly oversize white button-down, vintage Levi’s, leather flats, and gold jewelry—an easy, elegant look plenty of women can relate to. But recently, Hoffman’s been feeling more of an Italian-countryside vibe, swapping in lots of beige linen, big leather belts, and—more surprisingly—some feminine silhouettes.
After a few seasons of boyish corduroy suits and lean, straight-cut dresses, Hoffman is into a nipped waist again. For Resort 2019, that came in the form of linen bustiers layered over ribbed knits; a voluminous blush pleated midi skirt; and a sweeter twist on her corduroy blazer: a creamy, wide-wale jacket with puffed sleeves and big buttons. Unlike some designers who show just a fraction of their collection but have a dozen racks of extra “commercial” pieces, these items made up the bulk of Resort; Hoffman spent a lot of time editing out the pieces that felt superfluous. The ones left were quite simple, but still felt nuanced and special enough to warrant a purchase in November or December.
On that note, Hoffman’s customers who are planning tropical vacations during that time should bookmark the single print in this collection: a vibrant, blown-up floral in saturated Mediterranean hues. The flowery asymmetrical dress in particular would be great for a holiday beach party. A bit subtler was the bias-cut poppy slip, which had a silky sheen but was made with Hoffman’s ethical “silk alternative,” a luminous Tencel blend.
